Rocco Malnati

A sexual offender from Govilon has been imprisoned for a series of abusive acts against two young girls spanning several years. Rocco Malnati, aged 51, of Blaenavon Road, targeted the victims between 2004 and 2010, exploiting his position to commit multiple sexual offences.

Prosecutor Hillary Roberts described Malnati as having 'a dark side' that led him to perform a variety of sexual acts on the first victim. He bought her treats such as alcohol and cigarettes to gain her trust. The abuse included performing oral sex on her, repeated acts of penile penetration, forcing her to expose her breasts while he masturbated, and sexually assaulting her in his car parked in a lay-by. The victim later realised she was being taken advantage of but felt trapped with no way out.

Regarding the second victim, Malnati masturbated in front of her when she was 11 years old, appearing topless or naked. As she became a teenager, he engaged in penetrative sexual abuse. When confronted about the abuse and threatened with a report, he responded by threatening to kill himself.

The offences surfaced in 2022 when one victim's partner discovered sexual photographs on her phone that Malnati had coerced her into sending. Following his arrest, Malnati admitted to sexual contact with the victims during police interview but claimed it occurred after they turned 16. He initially denied the charges, leading to a scheduled trial in September of the previous year, which was postponed to July. Ahead of the trial, he pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child concerning the first victim, as well as engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child and sexual activity with a child relating to the second victim.

In court, one victim provided a poignant statement: 'Malnati took my innocence at a very young age and used me as a piece of meat to satisfy his deviant sexual desires. I will never get my childhood back. I never feel safe. I’m always looking over my shoulder for potential threats.' Defence counsel Jeffrey Jones noted this was Malnati's first experience of custody, highlighting his previously clean character, engagement with probation services, charity work, and role as a carer for family members.

Recorder Paul Lewis KC addressed Malnati, stating: 'It’s clear to everyone that’s heard [the victims’ statements] that both have been significantly traumatised and deeply affected by your actions. No sentence I can pass can undo the harm you have caused.' He praised the victims' courage in the investigation. The case was heard at Cardiff Crown Court, with reporting by Tom Moody for the South Wales Argus, in partnership with USA Today.